Author: Diane Smyth

Sisters of Mercy Newfoundland Recognised as ‘a Blue Community’

Posted on by Diane Smyth

On Friday, 19 October, Ms. Andrea Furlong, Interim Chief Executive of the Council of Canadians, presented the Congregation with a certificate as a Blue Community, the 20th group in Canada to commit to the honoring and protection of water, and one of only 47 groups yet to do so worldwide.

The presentation took place at McAuley Convent, St John’s, where a number of Sisters had gathered for this event. A brief ritual which included a blessing of water was prepared and led by Sr. Mona.

A ‘Blue Community’ adopts a water commons framework by taking three actions:

1.       Recognizing water and sanitation as human rights.

2.       Banning or phasing out the sale of bottled water in municipal facilities and at municipal events.

3.       Promoting publicly financed, owned, and operated water and wastewater services.

In May the Congregation prepared its Statement of Commitment outlining its dedication to implementing water and sanitation as human rights.

Commitment Statement in EnglishCommitment Statement in Spanish

‘We make this commitment for the good of all in keeping with the integrity of all creation and in a spirit of humility and gratitude for water and the many gifts lavished on us by the Creator of all.’

A guide prepared by the Council of Canadians, providing information and resources to help a group become a blue community, can be downloaded
here (28pps, PDF)

Images: Used with permission . Sam McLeish, The Telegram

180 Years of Mercy Ministry in Newfoundland

Posted on by Diane Smyth

180 years ago today, 3 June, three Sisters of Mercy from the Baggot Street Community —Francis Creedon, Ursula Frayne and Rose Lynch— arrived in St John’s to commence the Works of Mercy there.

This date marks both the establishment of the Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy of Newfoundland and of the first community of the Sisters of Mercy in the New World. Read more about those first Mercy Sisters (and the 57 young Irish women who went from Ireland to join the Newfoundland Congregation between 1842 and 1907) in the book “Standing on Their Shoulders” (PDF) by Charlotte Fitzpatrick rsm.

Among the ministries the Mercies in Newfoundland are engaged in today is The Gathering Place, established in 1994 as a joint project with the Presentation Sisters. This Centre is frequented by people who are displaced – those struggling with hunger, abuse, mental illness, physical disabilities and addiction, and is for many their only safe place to go. The programs and services are offered through a volunteer-driven operation by more than 2000 people committed to ‘building community, promoting equality and providing nurture and nourishment for those seeking respite from isolation and loneliness’.

Sisters of Mercy of Newfoundland Chapter

Posted on by Diane Smyth

The 22nd General Chapter of the Sisters of Mercy of Newfoundland will commence on 3 June and close on 6 August.

Our prayer card with our Chapter theme and logo Mercying: Imaging the Face of God in All Creation, Misericordiando: Siendo Imagen del Rostro de Dias en toda la Creación can be downloaded here

We invite you to pray with us as we take the next steps in our Mercy journey.

Messages to: Elizabeth Marrie rsm – Chair of the Chapter Coordinating Committee

In Memory of Padre Victor

Posted on by Diane Smyth

On September 29, 2010 Feast of the Archangels Michael, Raphael and Gabriel and birthday of Venerable Catherine McAuley, Padre Victor was buried in the garden of his parish church in Reque, Peru.

Three days earlier, after weeks of serious illness and hospitalization, Padre Victor made his final life’s journey surrounded by loving prayer, song and attentiveness, hope and patient waiting of his people. Victor was much loved. He dedicated his life to being the padre to his parishioners and their families. He loved his life, his faith and his church and his God. He lived the joy of the gospel and stood strong in the face of injustice- he was fierce advocate for his people and cared not only for their souls but also for their dignity and rights. Padre Victor was a strong man yet sickness was stronger and defeated him, in body, but not in spirit nor in the legacy that he leaves to those who knew him. Padre Victor will not be forgotten.

Padres Emigido and Lucho have shared so much of life with Victor from their young days. The three were lovingly known as the three amigos. In speaking of Victor throughout the days before the funeral they stressed over and over his gift of love of life, his “Alegria” which he passed on to all, his total dedication to the people especially the “más pobres”, his untiring service not only to his parish, but nationally, to the whole diocese. There was lots of great singing led by Reque Parish choir, lots of clapping in the midst of the reflection, etc.

The funeral was an especially blessed moment. There were crowds in the thousands in the plaza where the funeral took place. The altar was set in the door of the church facing the plaza. The Bishop officiated with fifty-two priests attending. Among the priests were Eugene Roy from Ontario and Jose Alverez Calderon, a great liberation Theologian based in Lima. There was extensive lay participation in the Mass. After Mass, the body of Padre Victor was brought in procession around the plaza with a special ceremony in front of the Municipal building. His body was then taken to the garden in front of the church where Victor is now buried. There is a small plaque marking his burial place, but a bigger monument is being planned for. Words used to describe Victor were “the saint of Reque,” “our joyful, happy saint in heaven,” and “the alma (spirit) of catechesis familiar. ”Victor was known and loved by many Sisters of Mercy of Newfoundland and by some of the priests who worked with him in Peru. He is sorely missed.

Tu nos has muerto; viveras en nuestros corozones y te recordaremos

 

Pope’s July Prayer Intention: ‘For the elderly’

Posted on by Diane Smyth

Pope Francis has dedicated the month of July to prayer for the Elderly of our world, and urges everyone to pray for the elderly “who represent the roots and memory of a people” so that they may be “teachers of tenderness”.

Let us hold in our prayers the elderly among us, those elderly who are known to us, the elderly residents of St Patrick’s Mercy Home and the many elderly people who find themselves in living in poverty and loneliness and who are often exploited by those closest to them.

Post your prayer intention here in our online chapel

Documentary: “The Incredible Vanishing Sisters”

Posted on by Diane Smyth

This CBC GEM one hour documentary about the Presentation and Mercy Sisters of Newfoundland and Labrador was produced by Kenneth Harvey, a Canadian novelist, journalist and film-maker. It premiered on CBC Gem on 15 March 2022.

“The Presentation Sisters and Sisters of Mercy have stopped accepting new nuns into their orders in Newfoundland and Labrador. In the years to come, both orders will disappear as we know them. Their orders have transformed into vehicles for social justice and environmental issues but now there are no longer young women who have the calling.”

Mercy Global Presence Report

Posted on by Diane Smyth

The Report on Mercy Global Presence ‘Weaving a New Fabric of Mercy Through Global Contemplation and Ecological Conversion’ is available for download in English and Spanish.

This report summarises the foundational steps which led to the Mercy Global Presence process – the Mercy International Research Conference, the Theological Advisory Commission proposal, and the Mercy International Reflection Process. It then outlines the process which unfolded. It contains details of each of the four segments and sixteen themes. It includes reflections from the participants on their experience and learnings from their active engagement in the process. It summarises the fruits of the six sets of regional gatherings. It also acknowledges the impact of the global pandemic on our world and, therefore, on Mercy Global Presence.

May your reading of this report be for you a catalyst in your own lived experience of mercying flowing from contemplative presence and flowing into contemplative presence. May it give you deeper insight into the beauty, the depth, the global reach, and the blessed moment in time that was Mercy International Association’s Mercy Global Presence process.

Download the report: English: A4, US Letter. Spanish: A4, US Letter

Mercy Documentary Screened on CBC Television

Posted on by Diane Smyth

On 25 May, Up Sky Down Films documentary Mercy was screened on CBC tv. The programme was filmed at Mercy Convent, Military Road, Newfoundland, now closed after 180 years and which will become part of The Gathering Place community health centre, enabling it to expand its services to vulnerable members of St John’s population.

Featuring Sr Rosemary Ryan, the impact of the Sisters of Mercy is told by some of our former students, including former St. John’s mayor, Shannon Duff, the CBC’s own Mary Walsh, and  Susan Quinn,  the founder and Artistic Director of QVE (Quintessential Vocal Ensemble).

Susan’s long-time desire to pay tribute to “Mercy” and to get back into the convent chapel, where she sang so often as a child, one last time before it closed, led to this documentary (15:44), filmed two weeks before the convent closed.

Celebration of 100 Years of Compassionate Care: St Clare’s Mercy Hospital St John’s, NL

Posted on by Diane Smyth

On Sunday, 22 May, 2022, St Clare’s Mercy Hospital, St John’s, NL, celebrated 100 years of ministry to the sick and vulnerable of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Established by the Sisters of Mercy, today Eastern Health continues our legacy of providing compassionate and caring healthcare services to the people of the province, delivered and supported by almost 500 dedicated staff and health-care professionals at St Clare’s.

“It is a privilege for me to give thanks on behalf of all Sisters of Mercy and our associates as we mark the 100th anniversary of St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital,” said Congregational Leader, Sister Diane Smyth. “I speak with gratitude for all those who shared their gifts, talents, time, expertise and love to ensure that every aspect of human life was cared for – body, mind and spirit. For 100 years St. Clare’s has stood proud of its history and heritage and its standards of excellence.”

Read the press release from Eastern Health to mark the occasion.

To mark the centenary, Eastern Health produced this video of the ritual of gratitude (54.23).

Remembering Catherine McAuley 2019

Posted on by Diane Smyth

Sacred Garden at Baggot Street – Holder of Holiness
11 November 2019

This September we joined with many Sisters of Mercy, Associates and others around the world to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Mercy International. The renovation of our founding house at 64A Baggot Street and its establishment as a Mercy Centre for pilgrimage, heritage, hospitality and spirituality has proven to be a blessing for Sisters of Mercy around the world, for our colleagues and for many of us personally. This year we celebrate twenty-five years! We are definitely an international group connected by our common history, heritage and spirituality!

So now in September 2019, the 192th anniversary of the opening of the House of Mercy, the sacred garden at Baggot Street has been renewed and re-dedicated with blessing and celebration. The presence of so many Sisters of Mercy, Associates and colleagues (in person and via modern technology) was definitely an unprecedented international celebration throughout the Mercy world! We are delighted that Patricia, Monica and Elizabeth had prominent roles in these celebrations!

In 1841 shortly after her death, Catherine McAuley was buried in the convent garden at Baggot Street thus making it sacred and holy ground. The next Sister of Mercy to be buried there, one month after Catherine, was Anne Fleming (Sr. Mary Justina), niece of Bishop Fleming. Anne was in the novitiate at Baggot Street and professed on the same date, August 19, 1841, as Marianne Creedon (Sr. M. Francis), Foundress of the Mercy community in Newfoundland. We know that Francis was present with Catherine in her dying and would have been part of the prayer and burial in that garden as well as the burial of her novitiate companion, Justina Fleming, soon after. Bishop Fleming was in Dublin in November 1841 and we might surmise that he was present at Catherine’s funeral and burial and perhaps, the burial of his niece! Thus the garden at Baggot Street takes on additional meaning and significance to us here in Newfoundland.

We have been offered a virtual visit to the garden:Remembering in the Sacred Garden, Baggot Street in this video:

Let us take a few moments to go to the garden at Baggot Street in Dublin, to think about Catherine McAuley, Justina Fleming and the other sisters buried there. Let us think about the hundreds of Sisters of Mercy buried in sacred grounds around the world. Let us remember them with gratitude and love. Let us remember Associates and colleagues who have died.

Also, on this November 11 we are called to remember men and women who died in the two World Wars! We remember them!
Photos: Anne Walsh